Embracing Change for a Better Society
The pursuit of quality in society is driven by the desire for holistic innovation. This means thinking and acting differently to enhance our lives. To achieve this, we must open the windows of the static mimicry of past rituals that are sometimes referred to as culture and allow fresh air from science to enter. Here, science is used in its broadest and most expansive sense. Organic cultures breathe; they adapt through learning gained from lived experiences.
Knowledge is the primary productive force in any serious society. It must influence culture. Culture is behavior at scale; it cannot remain static. It is not simply about mimicking how our ancestors lived, as acts of nostalgia. Culture must embrace new knowledge and adapt; it is not fixed in our genetics as a people. We should retain all beneficial aspects of the cultures of our ancestors, but we must also improve upon what we now have the tools to change.
The systematically rendered and distilled knowledge from our culture that enriches our study of herbal science, good nutrition, architecture, all the humanities, and our very essence as human societies must be studied and cherished. However, we must discard the unnecessary if we are to grow.
My grandmother’s home in the village once had kerosene lanterns, out of need—not any fidelity to a particular culture. When electricity came her way, she embraced it and moved on. Therefore, we are not practicing African culture if we get stuck with lanterns and reject new knowledge today, simply because once upon a time our ancestors did not have electricity. Everyone else in the world comes from historical antecedents that once did not have electricity either. There is nothing exclusively African about underdevelopment, and we must resist the urge to romanticize poverty by calling it indigenous culture.
Our culture can be improved, but we must decide what we want to improve. In this way, we have, as an example, embraced the use of mobile phones. We must make culture compatible with all that improves society, by our own definitions. And that is how quality is championed.
The Call for Progress
In 2025, I repeat my obsessive call to all chiefs in the country: there is no reason—such as—we must still have human-borne palanquins. If you insist on being hoisted in the air for whatever reasons of your cosmology, it is unlikely that the gods will reject motorized improvements. Please do this (motorization of palanquins), as part of the search for quality.
Let us not be under any illusions that championing a quality culture and the reforms required to sustain them in society will be easy. But, if we are permitted to ask, what is good in this world that comes easily? Ousmane Dembele, the charismatic and very deserved winner of football’s 2025 Ballon d’Or, is a source of inspiration in this regard when he says: “I’ve had difficult moments, but I never gave up. I kept working, kept believing and now I’m stronger. Every training session is a chance to improve to be sharper, to be stronger.”
The Path Forward
To move forward, we must recognize that cultural evolution is essential for societal progress. This does not mean abandoning our roots, but rather building upon them with the knowledge and technologies available today. By integrating modern advancements into our traditional practices, we can create a more dynamic and resilient society.
Some key steps include:
- Education and Awareness:Promoting education that emphasizes critical thinking and the value of scientific knowledge.
- Community Engagement:Encouraging dialogue within communities to identify areas where cultural practices can be improved without losing their essence.
- Policy Reform:Implementing policies that support innovation while respecting cultural heritage.
- Technological Integration:Encouraging the adoption of technology in daily life, such as mobile phones, to enhance communication and access to information.
By taking these steps, we can foster a culture that values progress and quality. It is a journey that requires commitment, courage, and a willingness to challenge outdated norms. As we continue to evolve, we must remember that the goal is not to erase our past, but to build a future that honors our history while embracing the possibilities of the present.